Message from the Principal

My name is Renato M. Lajara and I am the proud principal of John B. Stetson Middle School. Stetson is a very diverse school located in the West Kensington section of Philadelphia.  We service students in grades 5 through 8. I was raised in this community and am thrilled to have the opportunity to be appointed as the instructional leader of this school.

In my first year as principal, our school community faced many challenges, but we also had many victories.  We were chosen as  the first recipients of the Hamels Foundation grant! This donation is much more than just a check.  It signifies hope for our community because our students will be provided the opportunity to achieve more with the added resources we plan to purchase.  This grant will allow our Stetson school community to enhance the lives of our students across the curriculum. We will purchase books, computers, microscopes and new Science Lab tables,  just to name a few of the enhancements we will make.  To many, these may seem like only items for purchase, but to myself, my staff, and our Stetson school community, the generosity of the Hamels Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Cole and Heidi Hamels, will allow us to involve our surrounding community in our school events, further enriching our school culture.
 
With these added resources, the administration and staff of Stetson Middle School is deeply committed to developing, in each student, the ability to be a recipient of new and positive knowledge for life.  Educating the mind is a life-long commitment and the most powerful tool that an individual can possess.  We, the Stetson Middle School staff, believe it is our responsibility to create an environment that fosters critical thinking skills, positive self-esteem, creativity, and challenging learning experiences.  As the instructional leader, I will ensure that teachers have the tools needed to implement the middle school curriculum and that Stetson Middle School maintains a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for all here.  It is our responsibility to ensure that our students are prepared to face the challenges and seize the opportunities offered to them in the high school setting, so they may become contributing members of our society.
 
 Stetson is an amazing school. We have pride in our accomplishments and we are motivated by our challenges. As Anatole France once said, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also BELIEVE!" I am proud to say that I have big dreams for Stetson and I, along with my staff and the entire community, truly believe in the abilities of our children. I have chosen a profession that has allowed me to improve the quality of education for children and it is my pleasure to fulfill that commitment at John B. Stetson Middle School!
 
Thank you for visiting our site. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns regarding John B. Stetson Middle School.

Respectfully,

Renato M. Lajara
Principal